Free Eden's Mark by D.M. Sears

were in good hands and very well taken care of.”
                  He placed a plate in front of me. I looked at the contents and saw bread, that resembled nine grain from the café in my town, tomatoes with olive oil and sea salt, eggs, and what I assumed was their interpretation of bacon. I lifted the mystery meat off my plate and took a tentative bite. It was salty and surprisingly tender. 
                  “Wow, this is so good! Can I ask what it is?” I felt bad for asking, but I really wanted to know what I was consuming.
    Maiya smiled and took a bite of her own. “It is thibdaeu .” She took another bite and I followed suit. It definitely hit the spot.
                  “Is that like a pig or something?” I had a mouth full of food, and though it was rude, I just needed to know.
                  “Um, not exactly.” Koren said with a slight turn of his head. “It is a small creature with horns and viciously sharp teeth, much like the small rabbit, only much more dangerous. It takes a skilled hunter to catch one and an even more skilled hand to fillet it. There are poison sacs that run the length of the inside of the animal. If you do not cut it right, you will poison the meat and then it is no good.” I dropped the meat from my fingers and felt my stomach roll.
                  “Gregor is very skilled and he cut it to perfection. You are safe.” Maiya had such a soft tone. I smiled at her and began to eat my breakfast again.
                  I was so full from breakfast that my eyelids began to flutter. “Thank you for the wonderful breakfast.” I sat back in my chair and felt very heavy and sluggish.
                  “You need rest, little one. The toxin in the claws of shadows takes some time to wear off. Go back to your cot and we will come get you at nightfall. You have nothing to fear while you are here.” Koren and Maiya took my plate and cleared the table.
                  I rose unsteadily from the chair, “Thank you again. I think you are right. I feel very tired.”
    Koren nodded and Maiy a smiled in my direction. I left the kitchen and snuck back into the cave-like room to my pallet. I fell against the soft fur, and digging my hand into the ground, I inhaled the scent of rich loam. I felt the thrumming of minerals in the ground and it lulled me back into a serene sleep.
                  I was unsure of the time when I finally woke. I looked around the room and no one was there. It seemed that after my filling breakfast I had passed out. I stretched and rolled my head, knowing I would be stiff, but to my surprise, I felt very relaxed and well rested. I left my nice little bed and went to the door. As I opened it, I stared straight into slate grey eyes. My heart stopped and words caught in my chest. They bore into me and I felt heat rise to my face unsure of what to do.
                  “I was just coming to get you. Everyone is in the main room, please follow me.” Gregor turned on his heel and walked down the corridor. The smell coming from him was so intoxicating that I felt lightheaded.
                  Every time I was around this mysterious man, I felt things I had no idea I could feel. My whole body wanted him, and the worst part was it didn’t bother me. I needed to get to know him better.
                  Gregor led me down the corridor to the left and we stopped in front of another door carved much like mine was. “You will find every comfort needed in here. Take your time and join us when you have finished.”
                  “Elaborate if you wouldn’t mind?” My voice was that flirty high-pitched girly sound. I hated myself for being such a girl.
                  “Did you not think of wanting a shower early this morning? This is a lavatory, please utilize it as you see fit.” Gregor’s eyes bore into me and heat